A Travel Price Comparison for France Caen vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Caen or Arles?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Arles. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Arles?

Both Arles and Caen have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Caen is better known for its big city activities, while Arles is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Caen different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Caen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Caen or Arles?

Arles is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Is the Food Better in Caen or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Caen and Arles.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Caen or Arles Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Caen and Arles.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Arles has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Caen or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Arles?

Arles is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Arles Better for Families?

Caen is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Caen or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Caen or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Caen is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Caen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Caen or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Caen or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Caen Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Caen?

How long in Caen or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Caen or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Caen than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Caen, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

Families should spend more time in Caen than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Caen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Caen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Caen than Arles if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Caen.

One day in Caen or Arles?

In Caen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Caen or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Caen or Arles?

Caen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Caen. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Caen or Arles?

You'll find nightlife and food around the important destination of Caen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The charming town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Caen and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caen Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Arles?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Caen and Arles, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Caen or Arles?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Caen or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Caen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Caen is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 18°C (64°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets less sunshine than Arles. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Arles. Many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Caen is cooler than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Caen usually receives less rain than Arles. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Caen or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Caen as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Caen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Caen is cooler than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caen in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than Arles. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Arles. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In April, Caen is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 9°C (49°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Arles. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Caen